Overmolded fitting connection with color indication

ABSTRACT

A overmold fitting is coupled to a fluid conduit. The overmold fitting may include a first portion and a spaced apart second portion proximate a first end of the fluid conduit. The first portion may be an end ring and the second portion may be a retention ring. The overmold fitting may include a visual indicator to provide an indication of the fluid to be used with the fluid conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/233,839, filed Sep. 19, 2008, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/975,505,filed Sep. 26, 2007, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to water connections and inparticular to water connections including an overmold component.

2. Prior Art

Water line connections are known. Referring to FIG. 1, a water lineconnection 10 is shown. Connection 10 includes a supply line 12 for awater device, such as a faucet. An end 14 of supply line 12 is receivedin a receptacle 16 of a compression fitting 18. Receptacle 16 eithercommunicates water to supply line 12 or receives water from supply line12. A diameter of an inner surface 20 of receptacle 16 is generallyequal to a diameter of external surface 22 of supply line 12. Anexemplary diameter of surface 22 is ⅜ of an inch. Supply line 12 isreceived in receptacle 16 such that end 14 abuts surface 24 ofreceptacle 16. A ferrule ring 30 is then captured between compressionfitting 18 and a hollow nut retainer 32 forming both a compressiongasket and a retention feature for supply line 12. Ferrule ring 30 maybe made of plastic or metal. A compression gasket may be used in placeof ferrule ring 30. Surface 22 of supply line 12 acts as a sealingsurface for ferrule ring 30. Hollow nut retainer 32 includes internalthreads 34 which mate with external threads 26 of compression fitting 18to couple retainer 32 to fitting 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, another water line connection 50 is shown. A supplyline 52 includes an overmold fitting 54 coupled thereto. The supply linemay be made from a PEX material. A diameter of outer surface 56 ofovermold fitting 54 is equal to the diameter of inner surface 20 offitting 18. Since outer surface 56 is defined by overmold fitting 54, adiameter of outer surface 58 of supply line 52 is less than the diameterof inner surface 20 of fitting 18. The diameter of surface 56 andsurface 20 is ⅜ of an inch and the diameter of surface 58 is 5/16 of aninch. In FIG. 1, an installer could cut supply line 12 to length andthen make the connection. In FIG. 2, an installer could not cut supplyline 52 to length and then make a connection with a traditional sizedferrule ring 30 (since overmold fitting 54 has been cut off) because thediameter of surface 58 is not equal to the diameter of surface 20 offitting 18.

A gasket 60 is captured between overmold fitting 54 and fitting 18. Asin FIG. 1, a hollow nut retainer 32 is coupled to fitting 18 to connectsupply line 52 to receptacle 16 of fitting 18.

SUMMARY

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid conduit isprovided with an overmold fitting which provides a visual indication ofa characteristic of a fluid for use with the fluid conduit.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a supply linefor coupling to a fitting having a receptacle is provided. The supplyline including a fluid conduit having a first end, a second end, and afluid passageway passing therethrough; an overmolded end ring coupled tothe first end of the fluid conduit, the overmolded end ring permittingthe passage of fluid into the fluid passageway of the fluid conduit; andan overmolded retention ring coupled to the fluid conduit proximate thefirst end and spaced apart from the overmolded end ring. In an examplethereof, the supply line further including a seal received proximate thefirst end of the fluid conduit and a retainer received by the fluidconduit. The seal being generally positioned between the overmolded endring and the overmolded retention ring and contacting an exteriorsurface of the fluid conduit. In a variation thereof, the fluid conduitis flexible. In a further variation thereof, the fluid conduit is madefrom a polymeric material. In yet a further variation thereof, the fluidconduit is made of a PEX material. In another example, at least one ofthe overmolded end ring and the overmolded retention ring includes avisual indicator to provide an indication of a characteristic of thefluid for use with the fluid conduit. In a variation thereof, a portionof the overmolded retention ring extends through an opening in theretainer in a direction away from the first end of the fluid conduit andthe portion includes a visual indicator to provide an indication of atemperature of the fluid for use with the fluid conduit. In yet anotherexample, at least one of the overmolded end ring and the overmoldedretention ring includes a visual indicator to provide an indication of atemperature of the fluid for use with the fluid conduit. In stillanother example, the overmolded retention ring includes at least oneprotrusion which engages the retainer.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a supplyassembly for connection to a source of hot water, a source of coldwater, and a valve assembly which receives hot water through a hot waterinlet, receives cold water through a cold water inlet, and provides amixed water output for a water delivery device through a mixed wateroutlet is provided. The supply assembly including a hot water supplyline adapted to be coupled to the source of hot water, a cold watersupply line adapted to be coupled to the source of cold water, a mixedwater supply line adapted to be coupled to the water delivery device;and an overmolded puck coupled to the hot water supply line, the coldwater supply line, and the mixed water supply line. The hot water supplyline including an overmolded fitting having a visual indicator toidentify the hot water supply line. The cold water supply line includingan overmolded fitting having a visual indicator to identify the coldwater supply line. The overmolded puck positioning the hot water supplyline, the cold water supply line, and the mixed water supply line to bein fluid communication with the hot water inlet of the valve assembly,the cold water inlet of the valve assembly, and the mixed water outletof the valve assembly, respectively. In an example thereof, a color ofthe overmolded fitting of the hot water supply line is the visualindicator of the hot water supply line. The color of the overmoldedfitting of the hot water supply line differing from a color of theovermolded fitting of the cold water supply line. In a variationthereof, the color of the overmolded fitting of the hot water supplyline is red and the color of the overmolded fitting of the cold watersupply line is blue. In another example, the overmolded fitting of thehot water supply line is a two-piece overmolded fitting having a endring and a retention ring spaced apart from the end ring and theovermolded fitting of the cold water supply line is a two-pieceovermolded fitting having a end ring and a retention ring spaced apartfrom the end ring.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a supplyline for coupling to a fitting having a receptacle is provided. Thesupply line including a fluid conduit having a first end, a second end,and a fluid passageway passing therethrough; and an overmolded fittingpositioned proximate the first end of the fluid conduit. The overmoldedfitting providing a visual indicator to provide an indication of atemperature of the fluid for use with the fluid conduit. The overmoldedfitting having a first portion and a second portion spaced apart fromthe first portion. In an example thereof, the fluid conduit is generallycylindrical and includes a generally cylindrical exterior surface andthe first portion of the overmolded fitting has a generally cylindricalexterior surface having a diameter generally matching a diameter of thegenerally cylindrical exterior surface of the fluid conduit. In avariation thereof, the first portion is an end ring coupled to an axialsurface of the fluid conduit at the first end. In another examplethereof, the first portion is coupled to an axial surface of the firstend of the fluid conduit and the second portion is coupled to anexterior surface of the fluid conduit. In a variation thereof, thesecond portion of the overmold fitting is spaced apart from the firstportion of the overmold fitting exposing the exterior surface of thefluid conduit in a region between the first portion of the overmoldfitting and the second portion of the overmold fitting.

In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, amethod of coupling a supply line to a compression fitting is provided.The method comprising the step of providing a supply line having anovermolded fitting including a first end portion and a second portionspaced apart along the supply line from the first portion. Theovermolded fitting corresponding to a first end of the supply line. Thesupply line having an outer diameter generally equal to an innerdiameter of the compression fitting. The method further comprising thesteps of removing a length of the supply line including the overmoldedfitting; placing a sealing member over an end of the remaining supplyline; inserting the remaining supply line into the compression fitting;and tightening a retainer, the sealing member sealing the connectionbetween the supply line and the compression fitting and acting as aretention feature for the supply line. In an example thereof, thesealing member is a ferrule ring. In another example thereof, thesealing member is a gasket.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the followingdetailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying thebest mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to theaccompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is prior art water connection including a supply stop fitting, asupply tube, a ferrule ring, and a retainer;

FIG. 2 is prior art water connection including a supply stop fitting, asupply tube, an overmold fitting, and a retainer;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a supply line including a connectorhaving a overmolded fitting including a retention ring and a end ringcoupled to the supply line, a seal, and a retainer;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 3 and a supply stop fitting;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a supply assembly for a faucet includinga hot water supply line having a connector of FIG. 3, a cold watersupply line having a connector of FIG. 3, a mixed water outlet line, anda overmolded puck coupled to the hot water supply line, the cold watersupply line, and the mixed water outlet line;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the supply line and retention ring ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of another exemplary connector; and

FIG. 8 is a representative view of the supply assembly of FIG. 5 and avalve assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of the invention described herein are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed.Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen toenable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. Although thedisclosure is described in connection with water, it should beunderstood that additional types of fluids may be used.

Referring to FIG. 3, a connector 100 for a supply line 102 is shown.Supply line 102 includes a fluid passageway 104 (see FIG. 4) extendingtherethrough and has an outer surface 106 having a diameter generallyequal to the diameter of inner surface 20 of receptacle 16 of fitting18. As shown in FIG. 3, a portion of surface 106 is exposed proximate afirst end 110 of supply line 102.

In one embodiment, supply line 102 is generally flexible and made from anon-metallic material. As such, the supply line 102 is electricallynon-conductive. In one embodiment, supply line 102 is a polymer. Whilein one illustrative embodiment, the supply line 102 is formed of across-linked polyethylene (PEX), it should be appreciated that otherpolymers may be substituted therefor. For example, the supply line 102may be formed of any polyethylene (PE) (such as raised temperatureresistant polyethylene (PE-RT)), of polypropylene (PP) (such aspolypropylene random (PPR)), or of polybutylene (PB). It is furtherenvisioned that the supply line 102 may be formed of cross-linkedpolyvinyl chloride (PVCX) using silane free radical initiators, ofcross-linked polyurethane, or of cross-linked propylene (XLPP) usingperoxide or silane free radical initiators.

Connector 100 includes an overmolded fitting 112. In the illustratedembodiment, the overmolded fitting 112 includes a first overmoldedportion 114 and a second, spaced apart, overmolded portion 116. Inalternative embodiments, overmold fitting 112 includes a single portionor more than two separate portions. Connector 100 further includes asealing member 118 and a retainer 32. Exemplary seals 118 includegaskets, o-rings, and other suitable seals. Exemplary retainers 32include a hollow nut retainer and other suitable retainers.

Additional information regarding overmolded components are provided inU.S. Pat. No. 5,895,695; U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,780; U.S. Pat. No.6,287,501; U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,907; U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,210; U.S. Pat.No. 7,766,043; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,141, the disclosures of which areexpressly incorporated by reference herein. Further, connector 100 maybe used with the components disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,043, andU.S. Pat. No. 7,806,141, the disclosures of which are expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

First overmold portion 114 includes an axial surface 122, extendingtransversely to surface 106 of supply line 102 and which provides a stopfor sealing member 118. First overmold portion 114 further includes anangled surface 124 which generally mates with a surface 37 of retainer32. First overmold portion 114 is captured between retainer 32 andfitting 18 when threads 34 of retainer 32 engage threads 26 of fitting18 to retain supply line 102 relative to fitting 18. As such, firstovermold portion 114 functions as a retaining or retention ring ofconnector 100.

Second overmold portion 116 is coupled to an axial surface 128 of supplyline 102 and has an outer diameter generally equal to the diameter ofsurface 106 of supply line 102. In one embodiment, an end surface 130 ofsecond overmold portion 116 contacts surface 24 of fitting 18 whensupply line 102 is coupled to fitting 18. In one embodiment, an endsurface 130 of second overmold portion 116 is spaced apart from surface24 of fitting 18 when supply line 102 is coupled to fitting 18. Secondovermold portion 116 is an end ring of connector 100.

In one embodiment overmold fitting 112 is made of a glass filledpolyethylene. Overmold fitting 112 may be made of other materialsincluding PEX, polyethylene, polypropylene, and nylon filled with glassfiber, glass beads, carbon fiber, aramid fibers, minerals (such as talc)or metallic fibers (such as stainless steel).

Connector 100 assembles supply line 102 to fitting 18. In oneembodiment, fitting 18 provides water to supply line 102. In oneembodiment, supply line 102 provides water to fitting 18. Regardless, toassemble supply line 102 to fitting 18, second overmold portion 116 ofovermold fitting 112 is positioned in receptacle 16 of fitting 18 andadvanced until end surface 130 of second overmold portion 116 contactssurface 24 of fitting 18 or until seal 118 or first overmold portion 114provides adequate resistance to further advancement due to itscontacting sealing surface 39 of fitting 18.

In one embodiment, seal 118 is present and supply line 102 may beassembled to fitting 18 by finger tightening retainer 32. In oneembodiment, seal 118 is omitted and supply line 102 may be assembled tofitting 18 by tightening retainer 32 such that first overmold portion114 contacts and seals against sealing surface 39 of fitting 18. In bothcases end surface 130 of overmold portion 116 should not contact surface24 of fitting 18 until an appropriate seal has been made between one ofseal 118 or first overmold portion 114 and sealing surface 39 of fitting18.

Returning to the assembly of supply line 102 to fitting 18, threads 34of retainer 32 are engaged with threads 26 of fitting 18 and retainer 32is advanced generally in direction 150. As retainer 32 is advanced indirection 150, surface 124 of first overmold portion 114 of overmoldedfitting 112 contacts surface 37 of retainer 32 thereby also advancingsupply line 102 in direction 150. The advancement in direction 150further compresses seal 118 (or first overmold portion 114). In oneembodiment, surface 130 provides a positive indication to stopadvancement in direction 150 due to its contact with surface 24.

Seal 118 seals against surface 39 of fitting 18 and against surface 106of supply tube 102 to prevent the flow of water other than from one offitting 18 and supply line 102 to the other of fitting 18 and supplyline 102. By sealing directly against surface 106 of supply tube 102 aleak between the overmold and the supply tube is not an issue. Such isnot the case in the prior art device shown in FIG. 2.

Further, by using surface 106 as the sealing surface for seal 118 thensupply tube 102 may be cut to a different length and a traditional sizedferrule ring 30 or seal 118 may be used therewith. This allows aninstaller to use overmold fitting 112 when supply line 102 is generallythe correct length and to cut off overmold fitting 112 and usetraditional methods when supply line 102 is too long. An exemplarymethod of coupling a supply line to a compression fitting includes thesteps of: providing a supply line having an overmolded fittingcorresponding to a first end of the supply line, the supply line havingan outer diameter generally equal to an inner diameter of thecompression fitting; removing a length of the supply line including theovermolded fitting; placing a sealing member over an end of theremaining supply line; inserting the remaining supply line into thecompression fitting; and tightening a retainer. The sealing membersealing the connection between the supply line and the compressionfitting and acting as a retention feature for the supply line.

By having first overmold portion 114 bounded by surface 106 on bothsides, the strength of the coupling between first overmold portion 114and supply line 102 is believed to be increased. This makes it moredifficult to separate supply tubing 102 from overmold fitting 112.Further, improved shutoff relative to the mold is believed to beachieved.

In one embodiment, overmolded fitting 112 includes a visual indicatorwhich identifies the corresponding supply line 102 as a hot water supplyline or a cold water supply line. In one embodiment, the visualindicator is a color of the overmolded fitting. One or both of overmoldportion 114 and overmold portion 116 have a corresponding color to actas the visual indicator. As shown in FIG. 5, during installation firstovermold portion 114 of overmold fitting 112 is generally obscured fromview due to retainer 32 and seal 118. As such, in a preferredembodiment, overmold portion 116 has a corresponding color to act as thevisual indicator. Generally both overmold portion 114 and overmoldportion 116 are formed such that a single material is used during themolding operation.

In one embodiment, illustratively shown in FIG. 7, a portion 127 ofovermold portion 114 extends outside of retainer 32, illustrativelyabove retainer 32. Portion 127 may include a visual indictor to identifythe corresponding supply line 102 as a hot water supply line or a coldwater supply line. In one embodiment, the visual indicator of portion127 is a color of portion 127. Second overmold portion 116 is shown inFIG. 7. In one embodiment, second overmold portion 116 may be omittedbecause portion 127 provides the visual indicator of the identity ofsupply line 102.

Referring to FIG. 5, a supply assembly 200 is shown. Supply assembly 200includes a hot water supply line 102A, a cold water supply line 102B, amixed water supply line 202 and a overmolded puck 206. Mixed watersupply line 202 includes a fitting 204 and is coupled to a waterdelivery device, such as a faucet aerator. Puck 206 is coupled to hotwater supply line 102A, cold water supply line 102B, and mixed watersupply line 202. As represented in FIG. 8, puck 206 positions the hotwater supply line 102A, the cold water supply line 102B, and the mixedwater supply line 202 to be in fluid communication with a hot waterinlet 256 of a valve assembly 250, a cold water inlet 254 of the valveassembly 250, and a mixed water outlet 258 of the valve assembly 250,respectively. Cold water inlet 254 and hot water inlet 256 provide coldwater and hot water, respectively, to a valve 252 from which mixed wateris provided to mixed water outlet 258. Additional details regarding puck206, the corresponding valve assemblies used with puck 206, andexemplary water delivery devices are provided in U.S. Pat. No.7,766,043, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated byreference herein.

Hot water supply line 102A and cold water supply line 102B include arespective connector 100A and 100B. Further, the respective secondovermold portion 116A and 116B of supply lines 102A and 102B are colorcoded to indicate the identity of the respective supply line 102A and102B. In one embodiment, the overmold portion 116A of hot water supplyline 102A is red and the overmold portion 116B of cold water supply line102B is blue.

In one embodiment, one or more of supply lines 102A, 102B and mixedwater supply line 202 are flexible lines. In one embodiment, one or moreof supply lines 102A, 102B and mixed water supply line 202 are flexible,corrugated lines. Exemplary corrugated lines include corrugated PEXlines. In one embodiment, corrugated PEX lines with overbraiding is usedfor one or more of supply lines 102A, 102B and mixed water supply line202. Additional details regarding corrugated PEX lines with overbraidingare disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0178957, thedisclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Referring to FIG. 6, overmold portion 114 includes a protrusion 125which engages retainer 32 to retain retainer 32 on fitting 112. In theillustrated embodiment, protrusion 125 is formed as two separateprotrusions. Fewer or more separate protrusions may be used. Protrusion125 engages with threads 34 of retainer 32 and retainer 32 is threadedonto protrusion 125.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A supply assembly for connection to asource of hot water, a source of cold water, and a valve assembly whichreceives hot water through a hot water inlet, receives cold waterthrough a cold water inlet, and provides a mixed water output for awater delivery device through a mixed water outlet, the supply assemblyincluding: a hot water supply line adapted to be coupled to the sourceof hot water, the hot water supply line including a first end and asecond end, and an overmolded fitting overmolded with the first end ofthe hot water supply line and having a visual indicator to identify thehot water supply line; a cold water supply line adapted to be coupled tothe source of cold water, the cold water supply line including a firstend and a second end, and an overmolded fitting overmolded with thefirst end of the cold water supply line and having a visual indicator toidentify the cold water supply line; a mixed water supply line includinga first end and a second end, the second end adapted to be coupled tothe water delivery device; and an overmolded puck overmolded around andcoupled to the second end of the hot water supply line, the second endof the cold water supply line, and the first end of the mixed watersupply line, the overmolded puck positioning the hot water supply line,the cold water supply line, and the mixed water supply line to be influid communication with the hot water inlet of the valve assembly, thecold water inlet of the valve assembly, and the mixed water outlet ofthe valve assembly, respectively; wherein the overmolded fitting of thehot water supply line is a two-piece overmolded fitting having an endring proximal to the first end of the hot water supply line and aretention ring spaced apart from the end ring distally of the end ring,an outer diameter of the end ring of the hot water supply line beingless than an outer diameter of the retention ring of the hot watersupply line, and the outer diameter of the retention ring of the hotwater supply line being greater than an outer diameter of the hot watersupply line, and the overmolded fitting of the cold water supply line isa two-piece overmolded fitting having an end ring proximal to the firstend of the cold water supply line and a retention ring spaced apart fromthe end ring distally of the end ring, an outer diameter of the end ringof the cold water supply line being less than an outer diameter of theretention ring of the cold water supply line, and the outer diameter ofthe retention ring of the cold water supply line being greater than anouter diameter of the cold water supply line.
 2. The supply assembly ofclaim 1, wherein a color of the overmolded fitting of the hot watersupply line is the visual indicator of the hot water supply line, thecolor of the overmolded fitting of the hot water supply line differingfrom a color of the overmolded fitting of the cold water supply line. 3.The supply assembly of claim 2, wherein the color of the overmoldedfitting of the hot water supply line is red and the color of theovermolded fitting of the cold water supply line is blue.
 4. The supplyassembly of claim 1, wherein: the end ring of the hot water supply lineis coupled to an axial surface of the hot water fluid line at the firstend thereof; and the end ring of the cold water supply line is coupledto an axial surface of the cold water fluid line at the first endthereof.
 5. The supply assembly of claim 4, wherein the retention ringof the hot water supply line is coupled to an exterior surface thereof,and the retention ring of the cold water supply line is coupled to anexterior surface thereof.
 6. The supply assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: a first seal generally positioned between the end ring andthe retention ring of the hot water supply line and contacting anexterior surface of the hot water supply line; a first retainer receivedby the hot water supply line; a second seal generally positioned betweenthe end ring the and the retention ring of the cold water supply lineand contacting an exterior surface of the cold water supply line; and asecond retainer received by the cold water supply line.
 7. The supplyassembly of claim 6, wherein a portion of the retention ring of the hotwater supply line extends through an opening in the first retainer andincludes a visual indicator to provide an indication of a temperature ofthe fluid for use with the hot water supply line, and a portion of theretention ring of the cold water supply line extends through an openingin the second retainer and includes a visual indicator to provide anindication of a temperature of the fluid for use with the cold watersupply line.
 8. The supply assembly of claim 1, wherein each of theovermolded puck, the hot water supply line, the cold water supply line,and the mixed water supply line are each formed of a polymer.
 9. Thesupply assembly of claim 8, wherein the polymers of the overmolded puck,the hot water supply line, the cold water supply line, and the mixedwater supply line are cross-linked.
 10. A supply assembly for connectionto a source of water, the supply assembly including: a first fluidconduit having an outer diameter, a first end, a second end, and a fluidpassageway passing therethrough; a retainer slidably mounted along thefirst fluid conduit; a first overmolded fitting positioned proximate thefirst end of the first fluid conduit and adapted to be coupled to theretainer, the first overmolded fitting providing a visual indicator toprovide an indication of a temperature of the fluid for use with thefirst fluid conduit, the first overmolded fitting having an overmoldedend ring and an overmolded retention ring spaced apart from the endring, wherein the end ring has an outer diameter and the retention ringhas an outer diameter, the outer diameter of the end ring conforming tothe outer diameter of the first fluid conduit and being less than theouter diameter of the retention ring, the retention ring being capturedwithin the retainer when the retainer is coupled to the fitting; and anovermolded puck overmolded proximate the second end of the first fluidconduit.
 11. The supply assembly of claim 10, wherein the first portionis an end ring coupled to an axial surface of the first fluid conduit atthe first end.
 12. The supply assembly of claim 10, wherein the firstportion is coupled to an axial surface of the first end of the firstfluid conduit and the second portion is coupled to an exterior surfaceof the first fluid conduit.
 13. The supply assembly of claim 12, whereinthe second portion of the overmold fitting is spaced apart from thefirst portion of the overmold fitting exposing the exterior surface ofthe first fluid conduit in a region between the first portion of theovermold fitting and the second portion of the overmold fitting.
 14. Thesupply assembly of claim 10, further comprising: a second fluid conduithaving a first end, a second end, and a fluid passageway passingtherethrough; a second overmolded fitting positioned proximate the firstend of the second fluid conduit, the second overmolded fitting providinga visual indicator to provide an indication of a temperature of fluidfor use with the second fluid conduit, the second overmolded fittinghaving a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the firstportion; and wherein the overmolded puck is coupled proximate the secondend of the second fluid conduit, a color of the first overmolded fittingis the visual indicator of the first fluid conduit, and a color of thesecond overmolded fitting is the visual indicator of the second fluidconduit and different from the color of the first overmolded fitting.15. The supply assembly of claim 14, wherein the color of the firstovermolded fitting is red, and the color of the second overmoldedfitting is blue.
 16. The supply assembly of claim 14, wherein each ofthe overmolded puck, the first fluid conduit, the first overmoldedfitting, the second fluid conduit, and the second overmolded fitting areformed of a polymer.
 17. The supply assembly of claim 16, wherein thepolymers of the overmolded puck, the first fluid conduit, the firstovermolded fitting, the second fluid conduit, and the second overmoldedfitting are cross-linked.
 18. A supply assembly for connection to asource of water, the supply assembly including: a hot water conduithaving an outer diameter, a first end, a second end, and a fluidpassageway passing therethrough; a hot water fitting positionedproximate the first end of the hot water conduit, the hot water fittingproviding a visual indicator to identify the hot water conduit, the hotwater fitting having an end ring and a retention ring spaced apart fromthe end ring, wherein the end ring has an outer diameter and theretention ring has an outer diameter, the outer diameter of the end ringconforming to the outer diameter of the hot water conduit and being lessthan the outer diameter of the retention ring, a color of the hot waterfitting being the visual indicator of the hot water conduit; a coldwater conduit having an outer diameter, a first end, a second end, and afluid passageway passing therethrough; a cold water fitting positionedproximate the first end of the cold water conduit, the cold waterfitting providing a visual indicator to identify the cold water conduit,the cold water fitting having an end ring and a retention ring spacedapart from the end ring, wherein the end ring has an outer diameter andthe retention ring has an outer diameter, the outer diameter of the endring conforming to the outer diameter of the cold water conduit andbeing less than the outer diameter of the retention ring, a color of thecold water fitting being the visual indicator of the cold water conduit,the color of the hot water fitting differing from the color of the coldwater fitting; and a valve interface coupled to the second end of thehot water conduit, and the second end of the cold water conduit.
 19. Thesupply assembly of claim 18, wherein the hot water fitting is overmoldedwith the hot water conduit, and the cold water fitting is overmoldedwith the cold water conduit.
 20. The supply assembly of claim 18,wherein the valve interface comprises an overmolded puck.
 21. The supplyassembly of claim 18, where the color of the hot water fitting is red,and the color of the cold water fitting is blue.
 22. The supply assemblyof claim 18, further comprising a first retainer slidably mounted alongthe hot water conduit and adapted to be coupled to the hot waterfitting, and a second retainer slidably mounted along the cold waterconduit and adapted to be coupled to the cold water fitting.